It is Friday, January 16, 2026. You’re standing by the window, peering through the blinds like a suburban detective, wondering why that package you ordered three days ago hasn't hit your porch yet. You might be asking yourself, are U.S. Post offices open today, or did the federal government sneak a holiday past you?
The short answer: Yes, they're open.
Today is a standard working Friday for the United States Postal Service. Most retail windows are humming along with their usual 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM hours. Mail carriers are out in their LLVs, dodging neighborhood dogs and navigating the lingering winter slush. But while the doors are unlocked today, there is a giant "but" looming on the horizon that explains why the logistics world feels a little sluggish right now.
We are currently wedged in that weird calendar gap between New Year’s Day and the next big federal shutdown.
The MLK Day Factor: Why the USPS is Bracing for a Halt
Even though are U.S. Post offices open today is a firm "yes," the reality is that the entire system is about to hit a brick wall. This coming Monday, January 19, 2026, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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Because MLK Day is one of the eleven official federal holidays, the USPS will essentially evaporate for 24 hours. No residential mail. No blue box pickups. No retail counter service. Honestly, if you don't get your outgoing mail into a box by Saturday afternoon, it’s going to sit in a dark warehouse until Tuesday morning.
Here is the breakdown of what the next few days look like for the mail:
- Friday, Jan 16 (Today): Full service. Post offices are open.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Normal Saturday hours. Most retail offices close early (around noon or 1:00 PM).
- Sunday, Jan 18: Closed (standard Sunday).
- Monday, Jan 19 (MLK Day): Closed. No regular mail delivery.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Back to business as usual.
People often forget that the "holiday weekend" effectively starts for the government on Friday evening. While the clerks are working today, the backlog often starts building as businesses send out their final Friday shipments before the long break.
Understanding the "Federal Holiday" Maze
I’ve seen people get genuinely frustrated when they show up to a locked glass door on a Monday. The USPS follows the schedule set by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Since the post office is technically an "independent establishment" of the executive branch, they don't have the luxury of picking and choosing their days off like a local boutique might.
When the federal government says it’s a holiday, the mail stops.
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There are some weird nuances, though. If you’re waiting on a package from Amazon or a high-priority medical shipment, you might still see a flash of white and blue in the street on Monday. The USPS does deliver Priority Mail Express 365 days a year—including holidays—for an extra fee. But for your standard bills, junk mail, and First-Class letters? Forget it.
Are U.S. Post Offices Open Today for Shipping Alternatives?
If you absolutely must get a document across the country and you’re worried about the Monday closure, you’ve got options, but they're gonna cost you.
FedEx and UPS operate on a totally different wavelength than the government. While the post office shuts down for MLK Day, UPS and FedEx Ground usually stay operational. They might have "modified service," which is industry-speak for "we’re working, but don't expect miracles."
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Interestingly, the USPS has been under massive pressure lately due to the 2026 "Delivering for America" plan. This involves consolidating sorting centers. Because of this, even on a day like today when the post office is open, your mail might feel slower. Your letter isn't just going to the local hub anymore; it might be traveling 100 miles away just to get sorted and sent back to your neighbor.
Practical Steps for Your Friday Mail
Since you now know the doors are open, don't waste the day. If you have a passport application or a certified letter that needs a postmark, do it before 3:00 PM today.
- Check your local lobby: Many post offices have 24/7 self-service kiosks. Even if the counter is closed or the line is out the door, you can print postage and drop packages in the bin.
- Verify the last pickup: Every blue box has a sticker with the final collection time. On a Friday, missing that time means your mail won't move an inch until the middle of next week.
- Track early: If you’re expecting a delivery, use the USPS Informed Delivery tool. It’s a free service that emails you a greyscale scan of the mail arriving that day. It saves you a trip to the cold mailbox if nothing is actually there.
The mail will keep moving for the next 48 hours. Just keep in mind that the Monday "blackout" is coming, and it always causes a ripple effect of delays that can last through Wednesday or Thursday. Get your shipping done now while the lights are still on.